My Meditation Journey: From Seeking Enlightenment to Inner Peace
For a long time, I approached meditation like a Westerner - dissecting it, wanting to understand every step before taking the plunge. This led to slow, isolated progress. It wasn't until I embraced some Eastern philosophy that things really clicked.
Eastern traditions view meditation as a whole, a path to a complete transformation. It can seem intimidating at first, like something only achievable by special people.
I started with that Western mindset, but I was also drawn to the idea of higher spirituality. I craved a connection to something greater than myself, maybe the universe or another dimension. But the answer I found wasn't "out there" - it was deep within. Through meditation, I discovered myself.
The deeper I went, the more I realized the truth in Rumi's quote: "You are not a drop in the ocean, you are the entire ocean in a drop." I am connected to everything in the universe, with the power of the ocean itself.
Two big things happened along the way, almost as a side effect:
Reduced Stress and negativity: Pain, stress, anxiety, sadness, and worry just faded away.
Greater Self-Acceptance: I became more forgiving and accepting of myself.
Now, I'm wondering what my next goal in meditation should be. I'm content where I am, and I can imagine the path continuing in this positive direction.
This journey has helped me understand why some monks and mystics choose to leave everything behind for a life of complete serenity. It's an amazing path, but not for everyone (including me!). There are also many "everyday mystics" living peaceful, fulfilling lives right amongst us.
There's a sweet spot between the chaos of unaware living and the complete stillness of enlightenment. With some effort, time, and dedication, we can all find it.
The Benefits of Meditation: A Higher Level of Consciousness
Ultimately, we all want to be the best versions of ourselves, living from a place of higher consciousness. Mindful meditation can help us achieve this by:
Prioritizing Well-being & Connection: We learn to prioritize our own well-being while fostering healthy connections with others.
Clarifying Values: We discover and clarify our personal values, the guiding principles for our lives.
Living with Purpose: We find ways to contribute meaningfully and fulfill our purpose.
Notice how these goals don't focus solely on feeling calm or reducing stress. True spiritual growth allows us to find a deep inner peace that transcends external circumstances.
Intrigued? Why not give meditation a try and see where your journey takes you? Sign up below to join the next live class.
Q: What are some of your skepticism about meditation? Comment below.
Looking forward to hearing from you. 😉
Aloha!
